Having just passed Shavuot, the festival that celebrates our ultimate Sinai experience and receiving the Torah, I was studying about the 10 Commandments.

The Mekhilta d’Rabbi Yishmael (135 CE) asks:

“How were the Ten Commandments arranged? Five on one tablet and five on the other. On one tablet it was written: I am the Eternal your G!D, and opposite to it, on the other tablet, was written: You shall not murder. This means that one who sheds blood is considered as having diminished the divine image.” (Tractate Bachodesh)

If we truly believe that we are all made in the Image of the Divine,b’tzelemEL!HIM, we must believe that every life is sacred. Every life. Every person, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, sexuality, religion, or anything else. I believe that. I believe that G!D breathes life into every human being endowing it with a sacred soul. I believe that we all carry a spark of the Divine. That is why we feel such anger, grief, frustration, fear, and pain at the hatred and deadly discrimination shown to our sisters and brothers. As Jews, we cannot sit idly by.

We are witnessing massive protests all across our country. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and too many others are tragically only a few of the latest victims of America’s long history of police brutality.

It should not be that surprising that this current, long overdue protest should come in the midst of the pandemic. Our treatment of African Americans and other people of color highlights the injustices in our society which have resulted directly in a higher death rate from COVID-19. That which was left undone after our last great civil rights movement, must be completed. We have come a long way toward fulfilling the dream of equality under law, but it is still a dream that must be fulfilled in reality. I Still Have a Dream.

I won’t debate how people who call themselves ‘religious’ can fail to see the hypocrisy of hating your neighbor or treating any child of G!D without dignity and equality. I can only teach about Judaism which has always proclaimed the phrase echoed in so many other faiths, “That which is hateful to you, do not do to another.“ In Judaism it was first stated by Rabbi Hillel, more than 100 years before the birth of Jesus who flipped it to the positive “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This same philosophy of respect is also found in Confucianism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, Baha’i, and most of the other world’s major religions.

This is an inflection point for our potentially great country. This is our quintessential challenge. Will we allow inaction to send us into an authoritarian state where prejudice and fascism rule the day? Or will we stand up for what our country could truly be? An inclusive democracy that values every citizen and protects every soul.

Every word we speak, every action we take reverberates and gains strength and energy. Let us use them wisely,with peaceful gatherings that show our solidarity and commitment to making the dream come true.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in a speech at Stanford University in 1967, reiterated his commitment to nonviolent means in the “struggle for freedom and justice” and clearly expressed his disapproval for riots, referring to them as “socially destructive.”

This speech, called “The Other America,” was recently shared on Twitter by the King Center, the organization set up by Coretta Scott King to honor her late husband. In it, he states words that are just as true today as they were over 50 years ago. And the time most assuredly has come.

“Certain conditions continue to exist in our society, which must be condemned as vigorously as we condemn riots. But in the final analysis, a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it that America has failed to hear? It has failed to hear that the plight of the Negro poor has worsened over the last few years. It has failed to hear that the promises of freedom and justice have not been met. And it has failed to hear that large segments of white society are more concerned about tranquility and the status quo than about justice, equality, and humanity. And so, in a real sense, our nation’s summers of riots are caused by our nation’s winters of delay. And as long as America postpones justice, we stand in the position of having these recurrences of violence and riots over and over again. Social justice and progress are the absolute guarantors of riot prevention.”

Rabbi Tarfon in Pirkei Avot (The Ethics of our Ancestors), reminds us all: “It is not incumbent upon you to finish the work, but neither are you free to absolve yourself from it.”

We are almost finished with the counting of the Omer, the period between the two festivals of Pesach and Shavuot. We have been redeemed from slavery and are well on our way to the quintessential experience of standing at Sinai; entering into the Covenant which distills our values, our commitment to G!D, and our responsibilities for one another.

At the beginning of counting the Omer, we always know how many days we will count and when we will arrive at Sinai. But this year, as everything takes on a new light, we can perhaps come closer to tasting the anxiety of our ancestors who left Egypt, not knowing how long it would take them to reach Sinai, or what would happen to them afterwards.

We, too, are wandering in the unknown, unsure of what awaits us. We have no idea how long this time of uncertainty will last; longer already than most of us could ever have imagined. What will life be like “after Covid-19”? Will there even be an “after Covid-19” until a safe vaccine can be found and widely distributed? How can we better adjust and help our families thrive even under the threat of this devastating disease?

Like the Israelites, fearful in their unknown journey to an unknown Promised Land, there are those who long to return to the way things were before. But instead of a willingness to return to slavery, this time it would endanger the very lives of others, especially those most vulnerable among us.

All across the globe, Jewish communities are creating their own “rules” for ending this seemingly interminable isolation. From Sweden to Israel to New York, we can be proud to see Jews who are determined to set the standard for the most careful and caring decisions about when and how to reopen and return to some sense of normalcy. While we all depend on having a healthy economy, we understand that this cannot be accomplished at the cost of human life.

Pikuach nefesh, the saving of a soul, is the very highest mitzvah. When lives are at stake, nothing is more important, and certainly not money. We are wandering in the wilderness surrounded by fear and isolation. We see dangers all around and more challenges every day. As we continue into the unknown, let us be certain of one thing: caring for each other, supporting one another, and walking safely forward together, is surely the way to a better world. As we prepare for Shavuot and the Revelation of Sinai, let us recommit to our highest ideals, for we know, we are indeed, stronger together.

Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest… These are the set times of AD!NAI, the sacred occasions, which you shall celebrate each at its appointed time.” (Leviticus 23:3-4)

My father-in-law, James Rapport, of blessed memory, was a beloved professor of Shakespeare. Before that, however, he started out with a brief stint as a borscht belt comedian. He taught me one of his favorite jokes that we would do together. I would ask: “What’s the most important thing in comedy?” But before I could quite finish the question, he would interrupt saying, “Timing!!”

Well timing is not only the key to comedy, it is the key to life, as well. In this week’s Torah portion, in the 23rd chapter of Leviticus, we are taught about the key to holding our celebrations, our festivals and pilgrimage holidays, and the holy Sabbath day, to have them in their appointed, set times.

Just as Chanukah comes in the darkest days and longest nights of the year, and Pesach must come in the Spring when all life is showing its renewal and reawakening, there is, as Kohelet-called Ecclesiastes-said, “A time for everything and a season for every purpose under heaven.” Our connection to the cycles of the year and of nature may seem to have diminished in the modern, technological age, but we are still creatures of habit and the regularly appointed times and seasons do still resonate for us. Or they did….

How many of us lately, sheltering in place, have repeatedly asked the question, “What day is it?” One of my favorite late night TV hosts, Trevor Noah, and his team decided weeks ago that in our current coronavirus circumstances every day is Turdsday!

After two months of quarantine and isolation, we may feel that there is no longer any sense of rhythm to our lives. We are, even the introverts among us, social creatures at heart. And not only do we need other people, we depend on the routine of the calendar to provide stability and order in an otherwise tumultuous and shaky existence.

This year, when our Pesach seders had to be held online (and our Christian and Muslim friends had to observe Easter and Ramadan ‘virtually’), we may be feeling unmoored from the usual grounding reality of weekly, monthly, and annual routines. This year, as all social and seasonal norms have been, well, anything but normal, we may be feeling particularly lost and adrift.

But when we turn to our Jewish roots and traditions, we realize that one constant has always been there to provide us with the anchor and stability life needs-and now more than ever. Shabbat. I may not know what day of the week it is on any other given day of this seemingly interminable quarantine, but I always know when it’s Shabbat!

It can be easy to lose all sense of time during this COVID-19 pandemic. But once again, Jewish tradition has an antidote for that. It’s called Shabbat. When life feels like an ongoing episode of The Twilight Zone or we experience every day like in the movie Groundhog Day because each day is an exact duplicate of the previous one, along comes Shabbat to throw us a lifeline. Literally. To take us out of the blur of seemingless endless days on end without focus, rhyme, or rhythm, Shabbat is a blessing that calls to us and to our souls.

Next time I’ll write about some meaningful ways to observe Shabbat and truly make it a holy day. For now I’ll simply suggest that if you don’t already have the tradition to light Shabbos candles at home, this is the perfect time to start. To quote the famous author Achad HaAm (1856-1927): “More than Israel has kept the Sabbath, the Shabbat has kept Israel.”

Time and again, through all kinds of hardships, the Sabbath has kept Israel. Now, at a time when we cannot control much of what is happening around us, our sacred traditions can guide us to at least control the way we respond to what we cannot control. Let us invite Shabbat to “keep us” and to use this time as an opportunity to return to an ancient routine which allows our holy times to provide stability and grounding.

Let us be aware of the passing of time, the flow of days, and the pause given in each week which calls us to reflect on higher values. I am fond of reminding people that we are human Beings, not human Doings. In the pre-pandemic days, we too often were consumed with doing and making, earning and accomplishing. We were too busy too often to stop and breathe, and pray, to give thanks and be aware of this incredible world. Shabbat is a time for healing of the soul and allowing G!D to be Present in our lives. With this new change of pace, we have the chance to slow down and just be. Who knows what we might find…

I’m sorry it’s been so long since I’ve written and appreciate the messages from those who were concerned. It’s been a difficult path, as I know it has been for many of us.

We are now in the 50 days between Pesach and Shavuot known as the Omer, which are a unique and powerful time in the Jewish calendar. From crossing the Sea of Reeds to arriving at Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments, there are many ups and downs along the way. As surely there will be many ups and downs for us during this 7 week period.

We have also just commemorated Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day,the greatest tragedy of our modern lives. Perhaps that can give us some perspective for our own current crisis. Unlike the Nazis who targeted Jews, Gays, Gypsies, intellectuals, and many others, Covid-19 is an equal opportunity plague (although truthfully we know it is harming far more African Americans and people living in poverty). We, at least, do not have to suffer anxiety, fear, and loss as well as the incomprehensible outrage of people intentionally murdering other humans.

Today is Yom HaAtzma-ut, Israel Independence Day, when we celebrate the birth of a haven and home for our people. The miracle of the past 72 years must not be taken for granted. Has Israel accomplished all for which we had hoped and dreamed? No, of course not. Modern democracies, even after 244 years, still struggle to create equality, freedom, and justice for all their citizens.

The period between Yom HaShoah and Yom HaAtzma-ut is called, in Israel, the Time of Revival. Such a time of transition from death to birth seems especially poignant this year in the midst of this overwhelming pandemic. It encapsulates the emotional intensity of mourning and joy at once. My friend and colleague, Moti Rotem (the first Israeli born, Israeli educated, and Israeli ordained Reform Rabbi), suggests that this period should be compared to the sacred days between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, a time for bearing witness.

He said, “…it is appropriate to engage in introspection and self-reflection about how we measure up… Just as each of us goes through a process of self-examination during the Days of Repentance in Tishrei…” (which occur in the fall) this time period (in the spring) is an opportunity to do so on a whole new level.

Right now, rabbis all across the globe are already considering their plans for this year’s High Holy Days. Whether we ultimately use Plan A, Plan B, or Plan C, it will clearly not be the same as previous years and there will surely be empty places and broken hearts.

But I am wondering even more, how will these Days of Awe feel for us? Regardless of whether we are fortunate enough to gather together in our Houses of Worship or must celebrate through virtual services, what emotions will our prayers evoke this year? I believe when we read the liturgy, it will resonate in new ways. How will we react to some of the traditional images, like being inscribed in the Book of Life, as we ponder in all new and frightening ways: who will live and who will die?

I know these High Holy Days will be different for all of us. Perhaps that is why this time of reflection now can be a form of preparation and consideration for how we will stand before our Creator at the New Year and look back on the year gone by. Now, while we are sheltering in place, while we are seeing the world through different eyes, now is the time to consider. If we project forward to what the experience of Yom Kippur might be like, we can begin now the arduous task of self-examination and introspection. We can decide what truly matters in life. We can work toward change. We can decide to heed the timeless words of the Psalmist who said, “Teach us to number our days that we might get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)

As we journey from Pesach to Shavuot, from Egypt to Sinai, from slavery to covenant, may we count each day for blessing and give thanks for the blessings of each day.

We find ourselves in a strange place this year for Pesach. The Hebrew word for Egypt is “Mitzrayim,” which has the root “tzar” in it, meaning narrow. We are currently in a “narrow place” in more ways than one.

Pesach is the festival where we are commanded to retell the story of our slavery in Egypt; how we found the faith and courage to go forth to freedom and a new way of life. Even more, we are told to relive this experience, year after year, as if we ourselves came forth from bondage. And we do. Each year we gather together and open the Haggadah to observe the single most celebrated of all Jewish holidays.

But this year, we – the descendants of Moses and Miriam – have new challenges. We cannot “gather together” and family traditions that may be generations old will be broken. The gift of sitting around the table with family and friends, some even reclining to show we are free, will not be possible in its usual way. Pesach is all about freedom and that is something we see in a new light this Spring, something we have completely taken for granted in our lives.

I’m sure we are all considering how the modern plague of Covid-19 will impact the rest of our lives. Surely this time, the death of loved ones cannot be prevented by smearing our lintels/doorposts with the blood of the paschal lamb (or juice of a beet, as Talmud allows). But we are the Children of Israel and we have survived far worse. We will find the strength and courage to face the challenges of this time. We are a people of eternal hope, even in the face of crisis.

One of my favorite parts of the seder service is the Hillel sandwich. I love the fact that the Earl of Sandwich is credited with having invented the sandwich when actually Rabbi Hillel used it as a teaching tool before even the birth of Jesus. Hillel combined the sweetness of the charoset with the bitterness of the maror to remind us that in hard times, we must always remember that there will, again, be good times. And even in the good times, it’s still important to remember the difficult times. Not because we want to be depressed or dwell on our difficulties, but because hard times will always come. In fact, as we spend this frightening Passover in physical isolation, we pray that we might focus more on the blessings in our lives than the “narrowness” of this moment. Not only will this help to cheer us and make us more filled with gratitude, but more because these hard times can make us more sensitive to other people who have had and are having much more difficult times than we are. And when will finally have this deathly plague under control, they will still be going through much harder times than we ever have.

And so, even though we may be separated from our families, our friends and our communities, we know deep in our souls that we are still part of this ancient people who have survived good times and bad, for millennia. We are connected and sustained by our common sacred stories, our shared history of bravery and faith, and the timeless lessons of our traditions.

This Pesach, let us give thanks for the blessings we are so fortunate to have: our homes, our family (even if they are not at table with us), our precious friends, our community, and the technology to stay connected and supported through cellphones and computers.

T’ruah, the Rabbinic Call for Justice, reminds us that in this time of social distancing, opening our doors for Elijah feels like a radical act, one of hope and freedom. Rabbi Julie Hilton Danan writes:“Near the end of the Seder we open our doors for Elijah the Prophet, harbinger of salvation. Even when the present is filled with danger and oppression, we maintain our hope and faith, striving for a better future, as symbolized by Elijah and the vision of ‘Next year in Jerusalem.’”

To that I would add, “Next year in Jerusalem – next year COVID-19 free!”

I wish you and your loved ones much sweetness this Passover. Mixed with the bitter herbs of social distancing, it will surely be an unusual holiday. May the example of our ancestors who survived so much more, be a source of strength and inspiration for us all. May there be soon be times where the sweetness of freedom far outweighs the bitter times, not just for us but for all children of G!D. And so, from our narrow places, let us celebrate in every possible way our Festival of Freedom, knowing that hope, health, and healing are not far away. A zissen Pesach – May be it be a sweet Passover.

While we are living in a critical time of “social distancing,” we NEED NOT BE in a time of social isolation. We are physically separated but we can have many social connections.

You may be reading this blogpost on your computer or smartphone—let us give thanks that we are privileged to have this technology which so many vulnerable people lack.

Many of us have mobile technology and communication software (like Zoom or Skype) which provide us with opportunities for dates, meetings, check-ins, social hours and even dinner—let us be grateful for these platforms/services which allow us to meet.

We can also reach out (especially to those who are unable for various reasons to connect through technology) with notes, cards, letters, and messages. Once, not so long ago, there was an art to letter writing. Sharing poems, writing notes,and sending expressions of care and thoughtfulness have changed over the past years, but perhaps that only serves to make them more meaningful today.

Sometimes we will feel isolated and lonely. Yet while we are not able to embrace friends and loved ones, we are embraced by G!D’s Presence and sustaining love. While we cannot breathe on anyone, we know that G!D breathes life and hope into us. While we cannot physically comfort others, we know that G!D surrounds us eternally offering comfort. With these assurances, we know too that we share in “Tikkun Olam,” G!D’s redemptive work for us and all creation. G!D’s Presence permeates the world and connects all of creation to G!D.

Sometimes we will feel isolated and lonely. But we are never separated, distanced, excluded, or removed from G!D’s embracing Healing and Love.

While we certainly wish we could meet in person, let us be grateful that we can help “flatten the curve” and join together across great distances by making use of technology and sharing in virtual community and support.

Let us nourish our hearts and sustain our souls during these unprecedented times.

I’ll close by saying that I continue to pray for your health and safety, as well as your own social solidarity in response to this necessary social distancing, and appreciate all you are doing and will be doing to reach out and uplift others.

When you go out and see the empty streets, the empty stadiums, the empty train platforms, don’t say to yourself, “It looks like the end of the world.” What you’re seeing is love in action. What you’re seeing, in that negative space, is how much we do care for each other, for our grandparents, for our immuno-compromised brothers and sisters, for people we will never meet.

People will lose their jobs over this. Some will lose their businesses. And some will lose their lives. All the more reason to take a moment, when you’re out on your walk, or on your way to the store, or just watching the news, to look into the emptiness and marvel at all of that love.

Jewish tradition teaches us that “pikuach nefesh,” the act of protecting and saving life, comes before all other religious obligations. Therefore, I pray that you are all “following the rules” for best practices to keep not only yourself safe, but others as well. Our careful and considerate behavior literally has the power to save lives-so let’s all do what we can!

As I’m sure you know, from an abundance of love for all of you and concern for everyone’s health, The Temple has been closed and is live-steaming not only services, but Adult Ed and Religious School classes, as well. Even if you weren’t taking classes, now is a great time to start!! While we may not have chosen this “sabbatical” from our usual lives, let us at least try to focus on the positive and use our extra time in meaningful ways!

If you know anyone who’s older or immune-compromised, please check in regularly and send them support. We have volunteers who can offer to help with shopping/groceries if they need it. If you fall into any of those categories, please let us know how we can help you by contacting us. The House of Israel has gone through many dark times and we know we can handle this. We can use these lessons to guide our behavior now. I know we will continue being a powerful spiritual community of resistance and love.

Please remember to be kind and generous woth others while being vigilant about staying healthy and keeping others safe.

With love and blessings to each of you,

May the H!LY !NE surround you and your loved ones and give you strength and comfort as we face the uncertainty of the times we are in.

“Be the reason people believe in the goodness of other people.“

I will close with an English version of the Jewish prayer for healing,the Mi Shebeirach.

“Mi shebeirach avoteinu v’imoteinu, May the H!LY !NE Who blessed our ancestors bless __________________ . Give them courage and strength and surround them with Y!UR love. May they know peace and feel Y!UR Presence every day.”